Akram blames Pak flopshow in England on lack of experience

Karachi: Jolted by Pakistan`s 150-run loss to Australia in the first Test, former captain Wasim Akram said the team is suffering due to lack of experience and "over-reliance" on young cricketers in the ongoing tour of England.

Akram said the trying English conditions demand that players with maturity and experience be picked for the tour.

Akram said youngsters cannot be blamed for playing badly in overcast conditions.

"Playing in England under overcast conditions is not so easy. You need proper technique and experience to cope with the unusual swing," Akram told `The News`.

The former captain said he felt sorry for young batsmen like Azhar Ali and Umar Amin, who made their Test debut at Lord`s.

"In England, players need to have experience to cope with the conditions and youngsters must be groomed and allowed to mature before they are tested at the top level," he said.

Akram suggested that instead of attacking, a defensive approach would help the batsmen settle down better.

"I think these youngsters would learn a lot when they would play series in conditions suited to Pakistan. In Dubai, they would get the same conditions as they do in Pakistan. So series there would help them give their best," he said.